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School Psychology

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FAQ

 

  • Where can I get a copy of the Program Handbook?
  • How can I use the information that is in the Program Handbook to make my course schedule?
    • Well, start by going to the Program Handbook and looking at pages 20-23 under the heading course sequencing. The chart on page 21 was developed for students who are entering the program with a bachelor’s degree and planning on being a full time student (9 credit hours each semester). The courses in this chart are laid out in a way that follows when each course is offered and takes into account prerequisites required by certain courses. If you are able to follow this guideline, it is recommended.
    • However, if you choose to take courses on a part-time basis, see the part-time student chart on page 22. This sequence also is based on when courses are offered and how prerequisites are required for certain courses.
    • If you are not able to follow either of these recommend schedules, you will need to be aware of the prerequisites for certain courses as written on pages 22-23 under the headings of “the assessment and intervention sequences.” You also need to keep in mind that certain courses are offered only once a year. These courses are specified on page 20 of the handbook under the heading “Course Sequencing.” You will need to check to be sure that you fulfill the residency requirement.
  • What is the residency requirement?
    • The residency requirement stipulates that all students must complete at least 18 semester hours during one calendar year before beginning internship (EPSY 650). The calendar year may begin with any of the three academic terms (the fall semester, the spring semester, or the summer term). This is outlined on pages 28-29 of the Program Handbook.
  • Are there courses that are only offered once a year?
    • Yes! See page 20 of the program handbook under the heading “course sequencing” for details.
  • What should I bring to my advising appointment?
    • You should bring a copy of your up-to-date “School Psychology Student/ Faculty Advisor Checklist” (it can be found on pages 32-34 of the Handbook) and the sequencing chart that you are following from the Handbook (sequencing charts for full-time students are on page 21 and for part-time students are on page 22 of the Handbook). Prior to your appointment, you should be sure that your checklist is current and includes your current courses.
  • How do I use the “School Psychology Student/ Faculty Advisor Checklist”?
    • This sheet should be used throughout your time in the program to keep track of courses that you are taking and other important aspects of the program. This can be used to double check that you are taking the courses at appropriate times, applying for candidacy when required, and satisfying the prerequisites for certain courses. It is to your benefit that this be kept up so that you stay on track with program requirements.
  • How many courses can I take during a semester?
    • To maintain a full-time student status, you need to take 9 credit hours a semester which is 3 courses. Please note that any courses above 9 credit hours during a semester or term are free to UTC students. So if you feel that you are able and need to take a fourth or fifth course, they are free of charge.
  • Where can I find my rap sheet and what exactly is it?
    • Your rap sheet lists all the courses that you have taken and the grades you received in each. You can access your rap sheet by logging in to the UTC network as you do to check your email. Click on the link to Student Information and enter your SID number. Your rap sheet will be listed under “My Rap Sheet for EDS: AEP/SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (9006)”. You are also able to print this if needed.

     

  • How does a graduate course compare to an undergraduate course?
    • Our graduate courses vary in the time needed to complete the required work. Most, if not all, courses have readings to complete weekly which take a similar amount of time when compared to undergraduate courses. However, many courses also require experiential components such as time spent observing in a classroom, consulting with teachers or parents, administering assessments, practicum hours, etc. These components do take time outside of class to complete and students should be aware of these when considering scheduling your courses for a semester or term.

     

  • Do I have to take summer courses?
    • No, but you are likely to finish the program more quickly if you do take summer courses. Unfortunately the way that our courses are offered does not always allow for students to take the extra courses during the fall or spring semesters that would eliminate the need to take summer courses.  Because several required courses are taught outside of the school psychology program, the nights these courses are offered sometimes conflict with the nights other required courses are offered.  
  • When should you apply to candidacy for the Ed.S. degree and how do you do that?
    • If you entered the program with a bachelor’s degree
      • You must file for candidacy after completing 15 to 30 semester hours of program courses. You will need to have completed EPSY 504, EPSY 516, EPSY 536, EPSY 614, and EPSY 630 with grades of A or B. You also need an endorsement from the primary faculty. The faculty’s endorsement means that they think you are professionally fit to continue in the program. You also need to be sure that all of your undergraduate prerequisite courses are completed (these were listed on your letter of admission to the program). You also may not have any grades of incomplete at the time you apply for degree candidacy. 
    • If you entered the program with a Graduate degree
      • You must file for candidacy after taking 9 to 18 semester hours and completing all undergraduate prerequisite courses specified in your admissions letter. You must also receive an endorsement of your application for candidacy from the program’s primary faculty before filing for degree candidacy.
    • How to file for degree candidacy:
      • Go to the UTC website. Go to The Graduate School home page to find the forms link, then to the applying for candidacy link or http://www.utc.edu/Administration/GraduateSchool/forms/CandidacyApplication.pdf
      • You can bring the completed form to your advisor for checking. After ensuring the form’s accuracy, your advisor will present your application for degree candidacy to the program coordinating committee for an endorsement of your professional fitness.
 
  • What is the professional fitness requirement for the program?
    • “Professional fitness” is a general term signifying that a person has or is developing all of the characteristics necessary to be an effective school psychologist. It includes the professional knowledge and skills needed to implement best practices as a school psychologist. However, it also includes other qualities needed for effective practice. These other qualities include a commitment to practicing in a legally and ethically appropriate manner, good judgment and decision-making skills, and good interpersonal relations skills. It also includes engaging in reflective practice, considering current beliefs and practices in light of personal experience, others’ perceptions, and research findings and modifying current beliefs and practices as appropriate.
    • Primary program faculty members (Drs. Guess, Helton, Miller, and Tucker) rate the professional fitness of each school psychology student they have taught at the end of the fall and spring semesters and at the end of the summer term (using the Student Evaluation Summary Form on page 35 of the Program Handbook). They discuss these ratings in a program coordinating committee meeting early in the next semester and make judgments about whether they do or do not have concerns about the professional fitness of each student. If they do have concerns, they reach a decision about what to do about those concerns. The range of decisions is reflected on the Student Evaluation Summary Form. A mild level of concern might lead to designating a faculty member to discuss the concern with the student while a high level of concern might lead to sending a recommendation to the Head of the Graduate Studies Division that the student be dismissed from the school psychology program.
    • The primary program faculty must determine that a student’s professional fitness is adequate before endorsing that student’s application for admission to candidacy for the EdS degree and, again, before endorsing that student’s enrollment in the first semester of internship (Epsy 650). Students who are not endorsed for admission to candidacy for the degree, for enrollment in Epsy 650, or who are recommended for dismissal from the program have rights of appeal as described in the UTC Graduate Catalog (see pages 19-20).
  • What are assistantships and where do I get the forms to apply?
    • UTC graduate students are also eligible for financial aid as a Graduate Assistant (GA). A GA assists one or more faculty members by providing support for their teaching, research, and/or service activities. There are two categories of graduate assistants: full-time (20 hours per week) and part time (10 hours per week). A full-time GA works 20 hours per week, receives a waiver of all tuition and fees, and a stipend of $2,750 per semester. A part-time GA works 10 hours per week, receives a waiver of tuition and fees for 6 credit hours, and a stipend of $1,375 per semester. Graduate assistantships are available during fall and spring semesters but are not typically available during summer terms. Applications for a graduate assistantship are available from the Graduate Admissions Office in 103 Race Hall or on the UTC website at http://www.utc.edu/Administration/GraduateSchool/documents/AssistantshipApp.pdf.
    • Applications must be received in the Graduate Admissions Office by April 1 for a student to be considered for a graduate assistantship.
    • The graduate school also has information at: http://www.utc.edu/Administration/GraduateSchool/AssistanshipsAndScholarships.php
  • How do I find my internship?
    • Faculty will assist you in finding an internship placement. Typically during Practicum in Intervention, the faculty will obtain information from students regarding desired geographical area for completion of internship requirements. Contacts with potential agencies are initiated by the Internship Coordinator and information about available opportunities, stipends, and supervision is obtained. The Internship Coordinator will assist you with all aspects of internship placement.